Irvine vs Kenosha
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Irvine
Kenosha
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 95.6%, with Kenosha being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Irvine has equivalent purchasing power to $38,343 in Kenosha.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Irvine has the same purchasing power as $38,343 in Kenosha.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $146,703 in Irvine.
Living in Irvine vs Kenosha
Housing Costs
Irvine's housing index of 294 is higher Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $1.1M vs $275,000. The $775,000 difference in home prices means roughly $50,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $3,000/mo in Irvine compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $1,750.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Irvine and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Irvine vs $470/month in Kenosha. Kenosha offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Irvine and 95 in Kenosha. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Irvine vs $380 in Kenosha. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 109 in Irvine and 96 in Kenosha. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $108,038 in Irvine and $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,696 and $75,714 respectively. Kenosha residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,521/month to housing in Irvine vs $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Irvine, median rent of $3,000/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 212 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases